Remember this post? It features a pendant I made while in class at Volcano Arts back in April. Now that I have my new miniature jeweler's bench and a small drill press, I decided there were no more excuses -- I had to start actually making some things.
Starting with the same design featured in that blog post, I made 2 more pendants. For this first one, I etched a piece of brass and free-cut a circle-ish shape. Because most of the brass is hidden, you can't see the gorgeous leaf pattern that I etched. The black layer is a ready-made circle of anodized aluminum I found in my stash. The center piece is sterling silver that I stamped with the letter "S" around the edges. The 3 layers are held together with a rivet I made from 14 ga copper wire. The bail is also copper, with a sterling rivet to attach it to the pendant.
The bottom layer of the next pendant is a piece of copper from a sheet that I patinated (about 4 years ago -- I still have plenty of it left!) with an ammonia and salt concoction that I learned from Linda & Opie O'Brien's book Metal Discovery Workshop. The middle layer is another piece of anodized aluminum that matches the aqua patina below it very nicely. The center is a copper circle that I stamped. The rivets and the bail are also copper.
This last piece is one I started while still in class 2 months ago. All of the complex sawing was done in class, without a plan for how I would finish it. This is sort of a no-no, as I've been taught to have a plan (thanks Christine!). Having a plan ensures that all of the steps are completed in the proper order. I can't tell you how important this is in a metalsmithing project. Because of my lack of planning, I ended up with plenty of scratches that could have been avoided, and stupid time-wasting work-arounds.
Taking that into consideration, I think the piece turned out great! I'm especially proud of the back, where I can show off my improved riveting skills:
I am so pleased with all of my pieces ~~ *pats self on back*
Starting with the same design featured in that blog post, I made 2 more pendants. For this first one, I etched a piece of brass and free-cut a circle-ish shape. Because most of the brass is hidden, you can't see the gorgeous leaf pattern that I etched. The black layer is a ready-made circle of anodized aluminum I found in my stash. The center piece is sterling silver that I stamped with the letter "S" around the edges. The 3 layers are held together with a rivet I made from 14 ga copper wire. The bail is also copper, with a sterling rivet to attach it to the pendant.
The bottom layer of the next pendant is a piece of copper from a sheet that I patinated (about 4 years ago -- I still have plenty of it left!) with an ammonia and salt concoction that I learned from Linda & Opie O'Brien's book Metal Discovery Workshop. The middle layer is another piece of anodized aluminum that matches the aqua patina below it very nicely. The center is a copper circle that I stamped. The rivets and the bail are also copper.
This last piece is one I started while still in class 2 months ago. All of the complex sawing was done in class, without a plan for how I would finish it. This is sort of a no-no, as I've been taught to have a plan (thanks Christine!). Having a plan ensures that all of the steps are completed in the proper order. I can't tell you how important this is in a metalsmithing project. Because of my lack of planning, I ended up with plenty of scratches that could have been avoided, and stupid time-wasting work-arounds.
Taking that into consideration, I think the piece turned out great! I'm especially proud of the back, where I can show off my improved riveting skills:
I am so pleased with all of my pieces ~~ *pats self on back*
4 comments:
These are so fun! I love the flower shaped one, and the one with the blue aluminum... beautifully done, Vicki!
You should be. They are lovely. That blue is gorgeous!
Oh my goodness...I can see why you're patting yourself on the back. Each & everyone of these are beautiful! Great work, Vicki!
These are super impressive, my friend! I am incredibly awed my your new skills!
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